Hugelculture: Mother Nature’s Magical Garden Bed

UC Master Gardeners

The name Hugelculture sounds like it might be a new type of yogurt or maybe an exotic fermented beverage but it’s neither of those things. “Hügel” is the German word for hill or mound and Hügelkultur (hugelculture in English) is the term for a unique way of growing plants in rounded, above ground beds. The beds, which are created from layers of decomposing wood and other plant debris, approximate the conditions found in healthy, self-sustaining ecosystems. First defined in Germany in the 1960s, the practice has become increasingly popular in many parts of the world driven by a growing interest in permaculture and the need for finding sustainable methods of agriculture. Hugel beds are easy and inexpensive to make and have a lot of advantages for home gardeners. Read more.

Autumn in Your Garden

September/October/November Checklists

UC Master Gardeners

View seasonal checklists from our main website. From the header bar, select "Resources" then select the season of your interest from the dropdown list. For the current season, read more.

Fall Container Gardening and Seed Swap

UC Master Gardeners

East Palo Alto Library

2415 University Avenue

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

October 4, 2022, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Learn about edible food growing in the fall, and afterward join the class for a seed swap. Bring your seeds/cuttings and swap, share or take new seedlings to start growing your garden.  Fall is a time of change in the garden, and container gardening is no exception. The discussion will include what vegetables to plant for fall and winter, how to manage and improve your container soil, along with container sizing and maintenance. Registration required.

Simple Steps to Remove Your Lawn

UC Master Gardeners

Foster City Library

1000 East Hillsdale Boulevard

Foster City, CA  94404

October 8, 2022, 10:30am-11:30am

Designed with the home gardener in mind, this workshop will explore the pros and cons of having a lawn in the garden and then provide a step-by-step demonstration of how to remove a lawn. Attendees will be inspired by this workshop to remove their own lawns and replace them with beautiful wildlife enhancing drought tolerant plants.  Registration required.

Vermicomposting: Troubleshooting Workshop

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.

Zoom Presentation

October 12, 2022, 1:00pm-3:00pm

his workshop will include a short review of vermicomposting concepts, and answers to submitted questions along with live Q&A. This class is for people who are currently vermicomposting and have questions or challenges. Beginners are welcome, just be aware that this is not an introductory how-to class. Registration required.

San Mateo Arboretum Society Plant Clinic

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum Kohl Pumphouse

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

October 2, 2022, 11:00am-2:00pm

Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified.  Read more.

California Native Plant Habitat Garden and Herb Garden Tour, and Children's Nature Activities

UC Master Gardeners

San Carlos Library, 610 Elm Street

San Carlos, CA 94070

October 16, 2022, 12:00pm-2:00pm

The UC Master Gardeners is offering a free tour at the California Native Plant Habitat Garden & Herb Garden. In addition to the tour there will be nature activities for children on the Herb Garden Patio. The Native Plant Habitat Garden is three years old. It is a demonstration garden reflecting the use of low-water plants, without the usage of chemicals, pesticides or fertilizers. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of this low-maintenance garden, docents will point out the habitat features that invite native birds, bees, butterflies and other fauna to live, interact and support each other in this environment. No registration is required.  Read more.

DIY Pumpkin Succulent Workshop

UC Master Gardeners

Gardening Education Center

2495 South Delaware Street

San Mateo, CA 94403

October 22, 2022, 10:00am-12:00pm

Join us outdoors for our first holiday class of the year. Get ready for the holidays and learn how to make beautiful succulent centerpieces with pumpkins. We will provide pumpkins, moss, succulents, plant material and all the tools you need. Using basic centerpiece design principles, you will learn how to arrange and display your unique creation. Participants will leave with a beautiful piece of living art to wow guests, family, and friends.  Registration required.

DIY Pumpkin Succulent Workshop

UC Master Gardeners

Gardening Education Center

2495 South Delaware Street

San Mateo, CA 94403

October 29, 2022, 10:00pm-12:00pm

Join us outdoors for our first holiday class of the year. Get ready for the holidays and learn how to make beautiful succulent centerpieces with pumpkins. We will provide pumpkins, moss, succulents, plant material and all the tools you need. Using basic centerpiece design principles, you will learn how to arrange and display your unique creation. Participants will leave with a beautiful piece of living art to wow guests, family, and friends.  Registration required.

14 Fall Vegetables to Grow in Your Garden

The Spruce

You can either start your seeds in pots in a cool shady spot or look for seedlings at your local garden center and then transplant them into the ground when there is space freed up in your vegetable garden in the fall.  For a successful fall/winter garden, transplant seedlings before the first frost in your plant hardiness zone. Read more.

How to Save Seeds

Seed Savers Exchange

Garden crops can be classified as either dry fruited or wet fruited. Collecting seeds from dry fruited crops can be as simple as going out to the garden, handpicking a few mature seedpods, and bringing them into the house for further drying and cleaning. Fruits from wet fruited crops must be picked when their seeds are mature. The harvested fruits are either crushed or cut open, and the seeds are extracted from the flesh and pulp before the seeds are dried.  Read more.

What Went Wrong in My Summer Veggie Garden and How to Fix it for Next Year

Video of Recorded Class

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.

Gardening can be fickle and full of learning opportunities. Things go wrong even for experienced gardeners, such as zucchini plants producing no fruit, tomatoes have rotten bottoms, powdery mildew shows up everywhere, and the list goes on and on.  View video.

Basics of Raising Backyard Chickens

Video of Recorded Class

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.

Thinking of getting chickens? Then this is the talk you need. Learn all the questions to ask yourself before you begin so you can understand the requirements such as food, space, and health for successfully raising chicks and hens.  View video.

Hillsdale High School Peace Pantry

UC Master Gardeners

The Hillsdale High School Community Garden is a recent addition to UC Master Gardeners Harvest for Neighbors Project. The high school hosts a food pantry drive-thru in partnership with Second Harvest, Each Green Corner, and Mi Rancho market for 150+ Hillsdale High School and Bridge School families while some volunteers drive food to homes. The emergency food drive began in May 2020 to help families struggling during the pandemic. The garden provides produce for distribution to needy families by the existing Peace Pantry at the school. Vice Principal Brett Stevenson provided the leadership, combined with many volunteers, to make this garden a reality. This garden is a wonderful addition to the Hillsdale Community!  Read more.

FoodWare Aware Program

County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability

Beginning October 1, 2022, most Peninsula restaurants and food businesses will be following new foodware rules, also known as the new Disposable Foodware Ordinance. The Ordinance requires restaurants and other food facilities (e.g., farmer's markets, food trucks, push carts, cafeterias, groceries, etc.) to eliminate disposable plastic foodware and replace it with compostable alternatives made from natural fiber such as paper, sugarcane, or bamboo.  Read more.

To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives." Follow us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or YouTube channels.

PLANT PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

Choose the affected plant from photos displayed, click on the photo, remove any selections that do not apply, click on the plant names, and continue to filter selections to view the results for a possible diagnoses. Learn more.

GARDENING RESOURCES

Select links to access gardening resources, California Backyard Orchard, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), publications, and finding a local Master Gardener program.  Learn more.

ARBORETUM ALL-STARS

Do you need help picking plants for your sustainable home garden? Selecting from the “Arboretum All-Stars” list is an easy way to start making “green” choices for your great looking garden. Arboretum All-Stars are top plants recommended by the horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum. They thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate and have qualities that make them great choices for sustainable home gardens. Use a searchable plant database to pick the perfect All-Star for your garden conditions. For more information, view their website.

NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES

Looking for plants native to California that are not only pretty but are pollinators and drought resistant? A few resources are: Xerces Society, California Native Plant Society, and Calflora, Or try a native plant database for plants within your zip code. This website will help you find the best native plants specifically for your area that attract butterflies and moths and the birds that feed on their caterpillars, based on the scientific research of Dr. Douglas Tallamy and Research Assistant Kimberley Shropshire.

CALIFORNIA INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL

Browse the website to see all plants on the California Invasive Plant Council inventory, including both invasive plants and “watch” species. Clicking on the scientific name will take you to the Plant Profile where you will find links to more information on the plant.

 Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region? Ask a Master Gardener by email, and provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:  

1. Name
2. City of residence/zip code
3. Email
4. Phone, best time to call
5. Description of problem/ question -- for plant the type/age of plant, what damage/problem looks like (include location, sun exposure, irrigation type, fertilization, insecticide application)
6. Please attach photos, if available (overall plant, views of pest, leaves, etc.)

Also, you can call our Helpline at (650) 276-7430 or visit a Master Gardener Helpline located in San Francisco, Redwood City, or Half Moon Bay. For address information and hours of operation, visit our website.